The Ultimate Bucket List: 50 Things To See Around The World Before You Die

By Olivia Atkinson - 25 Aug 2017

There are eight wise, Buddhist words floating around Pinterest at the moment: “The trouble is, you think you have time.” When it comes to travel, we often apply a “Oh, I’ll do it one day approach.” While this is fine and dandy, there’s much more world to see than you realise! To help you create your perfect travel bucket list, we’ve found 50 things to see around the world before you die.

From ancient cities and worldly wonders to the most pristine beaches you’ll ever set your eyes on, here are 50 things you should definitely chuck on your bucket list.

A must for lovebirds, Ukraine’s Tunnel of Love looks like a literal fairytale. It’s an old (but still used, so watch out!) railway track completely engulfed by leaves and will have you believing in magic.

Let your jaw drop at the sheer magnificence of the Grand Canyon. We promise it's like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

Marvel at the ancient Mayan citadel that is Tikal in Guatemala. Its history remains a mystery but the near-vertical temple stairs and archaeological ruins will blow your mind.

Wake up at the crack of dawn to a) watch hundreds of hot air balloons hover above Cappadocia’s ‘fairy chimneys’ or b) take a balloon ride yourself. Either way, it will be an experience to tell the grandkids.

Set foot on Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. After rainfall, the flat turns into a giant mirror, reflecting the sky and the mountains in the most jaw-dropping way.

Visit where Charles Darwin had the idea of evolution pop into his head—the Galapagos Islands.

Hop from cenote to cenote in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Well, as many as you can—there are 6,000 (!) in the area. Many of these natural sinkholes feature fresh, crystal-clear water and will be some of the best swims of your life.

Cherry blossoms bloomin’ in Japan. Preferably with Mt. Fuji in the background.

Get a glimpse into what daily Roman life was like at Pompeii. The Garden of the Fugitives shows people in their final seconds of life, preserved by layers of volcanic ash.

Step back in time at Mesa Verde in Colorado, where cliff dwellings of Ancestral Puebloan still remain.

Get amongst the beer-fuelled fun at Munich’s Oktoberfest. The sight of fellow festy-goers skulling beer in Dirndl dresses and Lederhose will be engrained in your memory forever.

Two words: Gaudi + Barcelona. His Sagrada Família brings grown men to tears.

Venice. Nuff’ said. It might be under water one day.

And Australia’s Great Barrier reef could be gonesies, too. Damn you, climate change.

Swim in a blue, sparkly ocean off Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives. At night, the ‘Sea of Stars’ comes to life with millions of bioluminescent phytoplankton. Truly magestical.

Rise with the sun and wander the quiet streets of Oia in Greece’s Santorini Island. While it becomes a beautiful chaos of sunset-seekers in the evening, in the morning it will all be yours.

Sightsee yourself to serenity at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the largest religious monument in the world spanning a whopping 162.6 hectares.

Treat your eyeballs to the Rainbow Mountains of China aka. Zhangye Danxia. The magnificent colours are a result of red sandstone and other deposits being compressed for more than 24 million years.

Take to the skies over Belize’s Great Blue Hole. This 300-metre wide and 108-metre deep sinkhole is a breath-taking albeit slightly scary beauty.

Visit the Netherlands during spring and have your camera at the ready. Just a 30- minute drive from Amsterdam are rows upon rows of colourful tulips, just waiting to be photographed and popped on Insta.

What if we told you that you could camp in the world’s largest cave? Son Doong Cave has only been open to the public since 2013 but is thought to have been created 2.3 million years ago!

Watch thousands of happy Irish people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin. Then join in.

Stare into the eyes of a gentle giant (Gorilla) in Rwanda.

Trolltunga (meaning Troll’s Tongue) may take a hardcore 22km hike to get to, but it’s bloody worth it. A slab of rock juts out 700 metres above the ground and will get your heart pumping big time.

To Sua Ocean Trench just might be the most stunning swimming spot in the world. A wooden step ladder will take you down to turquoise water surrounded by lush, lush foliage. Bliss.

Another contender is Pamukkale. Meaning ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish, these thermal terrace pools will soothe any traveller’s aches and pains.

Shoutout to Aotearoa! We could rave about all the amazing things to do in New Zealand for yonks (and we do!), but Milford Sound is something everyone needs to see.

The Mu Cang Chai rice terraces during the September to October harvest.

Poland’s Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. It will tear your heart in two but every human needs to see it. May it never happen again.

The Pyramids of Giza. So. Much. History.

Bayan, Myanmar’s ancient city is dotted with the world’s largest collection of temples and will give you goosebumps (the good kind).

The Iguazu Falls are considered one of the most spectacular sights on Earth and for good reason, too. Chains of hundreds of waterfalls, between Argentina and Brazil, combine for an other-worldly water show.

Frolic amongst the untouched beauty of Montenegro’s Durmitor National Park. This rugged, dramatic part of the world is still relatively undiscovered so get there before the masses do.

The mind-boggling archaeological site of Petra in Jordan is definitely something you need to see before you die.

Bring your Insta dreams to life at Navagio Bay aka. Shipwreck Beach on Zakynthos Island, Greece. This spectacle is best seen from above on the cliffs. Just promise us you’ll be careful, it’s a sheer vertical drop to the bottom.

Oh, Canada, you’re another place we could write an entire to-do list about. As far as stunning vistas go, Moraine Lake in Banff National Park is a winner.

It may be heaving with tourists but Malaysia’s Batu Caves are a sight to be seen.

Nothing will prepare you for the grandeur of the Taj Mahal. Just go.

Serengeti’s great migration. Nature is a wonderful thing.

The Great Wall of China. It’s compulsory. ​

From active volcanoes to glaciers and waterfalls, Iceland is a place like no other.

As one of the oldest and holiest cities in the world, Jerusalem has been a place of worship for Jews, Christians and Muslims for eons. Today, it’s a fascinating city to visit.

Machu Picchu is subjected to bucketloads of hype for a reason. The Lost City of the Incas in the High Andes is a permanent bucket list destination.

As is Rome. Soak up as much history and eat as much gelato as you physically can.

Trek your way through Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chilean Patagonia.

The Iguazu Falls are considered one of the most spectacular sights in the world and for good reason, too. Check ‘em out.

Visit the Himalayas. These spiritual highlands will touch your soul.

Take the elevator up Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. The view of the sandpit-meets-concrete jungle landscape is insane.

A white sand, turquoise water island. Whether it’s Bora Bora, Palawan or Seychelles (truly though, there are thousands of them), take it all in and remind yourself how lucky you are to see this wonderful world of ours.

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By Olivia Atkinson

Kiwi born, Dubai bred, Olivia has finally decided to stay put in the mighty fine city of Auckland. She’s amped to bring her bubbliness and knack of words to The Urban List crew. A lover of elephants, salted caramel and baby spinach (#balancedlife), you’ll often find Olivia with a craft brew in hand, still in shock about landing her dream job.